With the ‘Series’ naming scheme differentiating the two current models, the next wearable could well be called the Apple Watch Series 3 but we’re calling it the Apple Watch 3 to keep things simple. It’s likely the putative third-generation wearable will ship with watchOS 4.[7] If you own an Apple watch now, then check out our watchOS 3 tips & secret features[8].

When is the Apple Watch 3 release date?

The Chinese Economic Daily News website has reported that Apple has again given the manufacturing contract to Taiwan-based Quanta, which has assembled all of Apple’s smartwatches so far. It says to expect a launch in the Autumn of 2017.

Another report by Taiwan-based Digitimes agrees that the watch will ship in the second half of 2017. The confidence comes from a leak that manufacturing is already starting to ramp up, specifically for the screen (see below[9]). We’d be surprised if the wearable isn’t announced in September alongside the new iPhones, as this would be a year after the Apple Watch Series 2 (which was revealed on 7 September 2016).

What are the rumoured features and specifications?

What’s easy to predict is that the Apple Watch 3 will come in a range of models, colours and a choice of straps. This means the price will have a large range depending on how basic or flashy you want to go. You can also expect collaborations with the likes of Nike.

Apple, we think, will also continue to offer two different sizes to cater for both sexes.

Screen

Until now, most reports have agreed that the Watch 3 won’t look much different from its predecessors – the main improvement will be in battery life rather than a new design or new features. However, the US Patent and Trademark Office has published a patent application that could be applied to wearable, rollable and foldable displays. The accompanying images show a smartwatch that has a continuous display running from the watch face through the band.[10]

It’s unlikely that we’d see these changes in the upcoming Apple Watch 3, though, and they are more likely to appear in a future version. For the Apple Watch 3, a significant change (well, significant for Apple and its current OLED screen suppliers) is expected to be a switch from OLED technology to what’s called ‘micro-LED’.

The new tech is actually quite similar to OLED in that the display does not require a backlight – each pixel or element is ‘self-emitting’. What micro-LED brings to the party is higher brightness and lower power consumption, which could be key to making the Watch 3 last for more days between charges Apple acquired LuxVue in 2014, a company that was developing micro-LED displays, so it might now be in a position to put such a display in the new Watch.

Also, reports say the device will have a glass-film touchscreen, rather than the ‘touch-on-lens’ screen used by the Series 2. It would appear that the touch-on-lens screens are very difficult – and therefore costly – to produce and yields haven’t been as good as the manufacturer, TPK Holding, had hoped. Rumour has it that the forthcoming watch will use a thin glass panel covered in a heavy-duty, scratch-resistant film laminate, and that it will be manufactured by a different company.

Camera Do you need a camera on your smartwatch? It didn’t work on the Samsung Gear 2 but Apple’s patent is for a selfie camera instead.

Modular straps

Recently granted patents suggest that Apple might be trialling modular bands which could allow you to buy a ‘base’ watch and add the features you want via removable ‘links’ in the strap. Maybe you want longer battery, a GPS, a camera or even a specific medial function.

Millions of people in the US alone suffer from diabetes and there’s currently no way to measure blood sugar levels without taking a blood sample. According to the report, Apple has hired 200 PhDs recently to innovate in the health space and that “the time is now right” for glucose monitoring. Rather than drive up the price of the watch for everyone, such monitoring could be added via sensors built into a strap.

Another interesting patent[12] shows that Apple might be designing multi-function straps. A ‘Magnetic Wristband’ shows a strap which would attach to the body of the watch with magnets. However, the interesting bit it when the watch isn’t worn as the strap can be rolled up to create stand.

Could the Apple Watch 3 be round? We certainly hope so or at least an option for circular alongside square, but it’s only images from patents that are giving people hope. In reality, it’s one of the more unlikely features since watchOS has been designed for square shaped displays.

Also, as spotted by 9to5mac[13], another new patent outlines a strap with an embedded battery (above) that provides power to the watch by an thin induction coil that sits on the bottom of the watch. This is essentially a mobile power bank, which uses the same wireless charging system that’s already used to charge the Watch, but a lot slimmer than the ‘puck’ that’s bundled in the box as that wouldn’t be comfortable in any way.

3D Touch

Though the screen may stay square, Apple could introduce 3D Touch to the Apple Watch 3 providing extra functionality. It was a possible feature for the Series 2 so we expect the next model to be adorned with the pressure sensitivity.

We’ll update this article with more news and rumours as they appear, but if you’re listening Apple, our wishlist includes better battery life, an optional round screen, Qi wireless charging and smart straps.